Processes and devices for sterilizing contaminated objects

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for sterilizing a contaminated object. The process comprises the insertion of the object in a sterilization chamber having at least one discharge tube in communication therewith. Then, the tube is fed with a liquid or gas stream, and the stream is subjected to an electric field so as to generate a plasma, thereby exposing the contaminated object to the action of sterilizing species that are present in a post-discharge zone or in a zone of excitation of the plasma. A device for carrying such a process is also provided.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of PCT International Patent Application No. PCT / CA2003 / 001116, filed on Jul. 24, 2003, which claims priority on Canadian Patent Application No. 2,395,659, filed on Jul. 26, 2002. Each of the above-mentioned applications are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present application relates to devices and processes allowing sterilization of contaminated objects. In particular, the present invention relates to high performance devices and processes for sterilizing contaminated objects, such as medical instruments and accessories, by utilizing a plasma gas, also called ionized gas. These processes and devices can carry out sterilization of an important surface of contaminated objects, in a single treatment. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] By reason of standards that are more and more rigid for the sterilization of objects, such as in the medical field...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0023] It has been found that by using a process as defined in the fourth aspect of the invention a high performance sterilization is obtained and deterioration or erosion of the treated object is considerably reduced. In fact, by using a gas stream consisting of helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, or mixtures thereof, the presence of oxidizing species being avoided, thereby considerably reducing damages that can be brought to the treated object. The person skilled in the art would clearly recognize that the expression “consists of” (or “consisting of”) when referring, as example, to a particular gas

Problems solved by technology

The devices that use plasma sterilizing processes, in spite of their excellent performances, have not yet achieve a significant breakthrough in the sterilization market that traditionally involves the utilization of devices that use vapor and/or chemical treatments.

These prior art processes have limitations, for example with respect to the homogeneity of distribution of sterilizi

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